Air Hose and Electrical Cord Organizer

ABSTRACT

The invention is a hand-carried, multi-pronged, bow-like framework constructed of durable lightweight material with parallel arms offset at the top end forming a catch leading to an elongated slot with pre-set widths for the concentric dispensing and take-up of air hoses or electrical cords. The pre-set widths are designed for commercial, contractor, or residential applications. The framework has a hook-shaped design at the top catch that forms a hanger for easy storage of the unit. The bottom end has an inverted V-shaped catch that helps secure the hose or cord to the framework and a curvilinear above-knee rest for commercial and contractor size units. A knee rest is not employed in the residential unit. An opening within the framework above the bottom catch provides a starting point for the hose or cord, holding either male or female end in check for take-up and easy access. Solid framework separates the ends to form a handle to aid in job-site dispensing and take-up.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handling air hoses or electrical cords at construction job-sites or around the home is often a source of frustration that stems largely from the physical properties of the materials and partially from the fashion in which they get taken up and stored at the end of a long day. The physical properties that make hoses and cords pliable during summer months also lend to the tendency for creating randomly tangled masses. Conversely, the same hoses and cords become stiffer and difficult to manage and store in colder months. While reels provide a practical means for storing and dispensing hoses and cords, they are often cumbersome to work with and often need two people to prevent spooling-out of excess hose or cord, or jumping the spool. Also, the present invention has no moving parts to wear out, break, or that need replacing. Whether at the end of a long day or the beginning of another, a person doesn't need the added frustration of fighting unruly hoses or cords.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an easy, practical, and inexpensive means for job-site dispensing, take-up, and storage of air hoses or electrical cords, regardless of the time of year.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an easy and practical way to carry air hoses or electrical cords to and from the job site.

It is a further object of the invention to prevent random or inadvertent unraveling or entangling of air hoses or electrical cords.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a take-up slot dedicated for a specific diameter of air hose or electrical cord.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a startup slot for securing the ends of air hoses or electrical cords.

It is a further object of the invention to provide easy access to both ends of air hoses or electrical cords when only partial play-out is necessary.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a broad handle for one or two-handed use in taking-up and playing-out air hoses or electrical cords.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a curvilinear knee rest to assist one-handed take-up or play-out of air hoses or electrical cords for commercial and contractor use.

It is a further object of the invention to allow for easy storage and retrieval of air hoses or electrical cords through the use of an integrated hanger.

It is a further object of the invention to provide integrated tongue-and-groove design to allow piggyback storage of multiple racks.

It is a further object of the invention that the framework be fabricated of durable lightweight materials with no moving or movable parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a full side view of an embodiment representing several elements of the device.

FIGS. 2a, b , and c are sectional drawings of depictions of an embodiment representing general configuration and use of the device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional depiction of an embodiment representing general use and piggyback storage of more than one device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment representing general use of the device with fully wrapped cord.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 a, b, and c. The invention contains no moving parts and is comprised of two opposing arms (1) and (2), at the upper end, separated by an elongated slot, or catch (4), with pre-set width, within which an air hose or electrical cord of similar width is held in a concentrically wrapped manner. Arm (1) terminates at a raised, tongue-like, projection (3) that can be inserted into a receptor slot, or groove, (6) of a second unit for piggyback storage. Arm (2) terminates in a 180-degree outward-turned manner creating a storage hanger (5). An inverted V-shaped opening (10) separates lower arms (9) and (12) and provides an opposing catch area for storing the wrapped hose or cord. Arm (12) terminates in a curvilinear above-knee rest (11) for commercial and contractor-size units. An 6 opening (8) in the framework above the lower catch (10) provides a starting point for, and easy access to, either end of the hose or cord. Solid framework (7) between the upper and lower ends of the unit forms a handle.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of an embodiment representing general use and piggyback storage of more than one device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention representing a general use with electric cord attached.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a hand-carried bow-like utility rack constructed of durable lightweight material for the storage and dispensing of air hose or electrical cord. It is the general object of the present invention to provide an easy, practical, and inexpensive means for job-site dispensing, take-up, and storage of air hoses or electrical cords.

The invention claimed is comprised of a single framework consisting of opposing sides, or arms, at the top end, one arm of which is linear and terminates at a raised tongue-like projection to facilitate piggyback storage, and an opposing arm that terminates in a 180 degree outward-turned hook-like fashion thus creating a catch area that guides the hose or cord into a size-dependent slot between the opposing arms thereby resulting in concentric take-up; whereas the hook provides a means for hanging the unit when in storage, a receptor slot, or groove, at the apex of hanger aids to secure multiple racks for piggyback storage; an inverted V-shaped catch at the bottom of the framework helps secure the hose or cord to the framework wherein a curvilinear base provides an above-knee rest that facilitates take-up; an opening within the framework above the bottom catch provides a starting point for taking-up the hose or cord and secures the male or female ends for easy access at the job site when only partial play-out is necessary; and a solid framework separates the two ends of the device to form a broad handle that, with practice, can allow for rapid dispensing and take-up using a figure-eight or hand-over-hand motion.

The principles of this invention, however, are not limited to these uses. People skilled in the art will see other obvious uses from examining the specifications herein. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hand-carried utility device for the storage and dispensing of air hose or electrical cord (FIG. 1) comprising: a single framework consisting of two opposing sides, or arms, at the top end, one arm of which is linear and terminates at a raised tongue-like projection to facilitate piggyback storage, and an opposing arm that terminates in a 180 degree outward-turned hook-like fashion thus creating a catch area that guides the hose or cord into an elongated slot of preset width, between the opposing arms, thereby facilitating concentric take-up and play-out (FIGS. 2a and 4); whereas the hook provides a means for hanging the unit when in storage, a receptor slot, or groove, at the apex of hanger aids to secure multiple racks for piggyback storage (FIG. 3); an inverted V-shaped catch at the bottom of the framework helps secure the hose or cord to the framework wherein a curvilinear base provides an above-knee rest that facilitates take-up (FIG. 2c ); an opening within the framework above the bottom catch provides a starting point for taking-up the hose or cord and secures the male or female end for easy access at the job site when only partial play-out is necessary (FIG. 2c ); and the solid framework forms a broad handle that separates the two ends of the device (FIG. 2b ) and that, with practice, can allow for rapid dispensing and take-up using a figure-eight or hand-over-hand motion.
 2. The invention in claim 1 wherein the top-end slot in the framework corresponds to a specific diameter of air hose or electrical cord.
 3. The invention in claim 1 wherein the framework is fabricated of a durable lightweight material. 